Shelving unit



L. MASLOW July 14, 1959 ELVING UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1955INVENTOR.

' 3 \9 2| LOUIS MASLOW L. MASLOW SHELVING UNIT July 14, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1955 LOUlS MASLOW I INVENTOR.

"MAM

July 14, 1959 MASLOW 2,894,643

SHELVING UNIT Filed Jan. 27, 1.955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

LOUIS MASLOW EMA United States This invention relates to furniture, suchas cabinets, shelves, bookcases, or the like which can be rapidlyassembled, collapsed or modified to provide a varied assortment ofstructures.

Conventional housefold furniture of the above class, in addition tobeing expensive, is generally not conveniently portable. Moreover suchfurniture is usually fixed in shape permitting no future modificationsfor the purposes of function, appearance, or portability.

Consequently it is the primary object of this invention to provide aninexpensive furniture construction, especially adapted for fabricationby mass-production techniques, which can readily be assembled, collapsedinto identical portable units, or modified readily into a variedassortment of shapes by an unskilled person using only a commonhousehold tool such as a screwdriver.

Another inventive object is the provision of an inexpensive structuralunit designed particularly for massproduction techniques wherein aplurality of these units can readily be removably interconnected toprovide a large variety of sturdy stylish furniture and wherein theunits are designed to be interconnected by an unskilled person using anordinary household tool such as a screwdriver.

A further inventive object is the provision of furniture fabricated froma plurality of identical units which can readily be dismantled, orassembled without special skill or tools, and wherein the dismantledunits can be stacked into portable bundles occupying a minimum of space.

' A still further inventive object is the provision of an inexpensivelatticed furniture construction, comprising an assemblage of identicallatticed structural units interconnected terminally with securing meanswhich can be readily secured or removed by unskilled persons, equippedwith only a screwdriver or the like.

A still further inventive object is the provision of latticed furnitureof the foregoing class, wherein the units are flat rectangular sectionswhich can be removably coupled longitudinally, laterally ortransversely, to form a large variety of sturdy useful and stylishfurniture.

Further objects and advantageous features of this invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description, appended claimsand annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the latticed unit from which the variouspieces of furniture are assembled;

Figure 2 is an end view thereof;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly made from theunits;

Figure 4 is the other end view of the unit;

Figure 5 is a side view of the unit;

Figures 6 through 8, and through 14 are exploded perspectives of thenumerous joints attainable with the coupling means provided by thelatticed unit; and

Figure 9 is a side view of the joint shown in Figure 7.

Referring now to Figures 1 through 5 the latticed units are seen tocomprise a series of parallel equally spaced ribs 10, integrally joinedby welding or the like to a atent O "ice series of equally spacedtransverse support rods 11, 12 and 13. As better seen in Figure 2, theribs 10 are preferably rectangular in section, and are joined to the endrods 11 and 13 and intermediate rod 12 along one side thereof. The saidrods are in turn each terminally welded to pairs of side bars 14 and 15,the bars in each pair being separated to receive the ends of the rods(see Figure 5). It is evident from Figure 2 that the rod ends do notproject outwardly beyond the exterior side bar edges, thereby avoidingthe creation of injury hazards and providing a pleasing finish for theunit.

As seen in Figure 1, each pair of side bars are provided with fixedU-shaped clamps 16 and 17 welded to similar end projections 18respectively, each of which extend axially beyond the rod '11 aspecified distance. The opposite ends 19 and 20 of the side bars 14 and15 respectively, extend a similar distance beyond rod 13 and areprovided on both sides with notches 21 and 22 respectively, the walls ofthe notches being normal to the plane of the latticed unit.

From Figures 1 and 4 it can be seen that the clamps 16 and 17 are squareshaped, comprising flat central por tions 23 and 23a and curved flanges24 which envelop the exterior halves of the side bar peripheries. InFigures l and 5 the inner ends 25 of the clamps are seen to abut theouter edge of the rod 11 and are secured thereto by spot weld. Thus inthe fabrication process the clamps are accurately located by merelyplacing them against the *said rod. When so positioned, holds 26 and 27centrally formed through the clamps 16 and 17 respectively will havetheir transverse diameters in alignment with the side bar ends. Theholes 26 and 27 are tangent respectively to the opposing pairs of edgesof each pair of side bars permitting a bolt or screw to be insertedtherethrough.

Clamp 17 is secured to the outer edges of side bars 15 with its flanges24 projecting towards the other clamp 16; whereas clamp 16 is secured tothe inner edges of side bars 14, with the flanges projecting away fromthe other clamp 17.

Since the flat central portions 23 (see Figure 4) are arranged at rightangles to the rods, the longitudinal axis of the clamps is parallel tothe axis of the side bars and also substantially in alignment therewith.Moreover by securing both the rods and the side bars to each of theclamps a sturdy construction is insured. Each pair of side bars isfurther provided with notches 28 intermediate the rod 11 and the holes26 and 27 respectively for purposes to be disclosed (see Figure 5).

The assembled cabinet 29 of Figure 3 is exemplary of a furniture piecewhich can be erected from a multiplicity of the units described above.By now referring to Figures 6 through 14, the formation of the variousjoints which are required to interconnect the units will be more fullyunderstood.

Figure 6 represents a joint connecting two adjoining side bar clamps 30and 31 which project from two latticed units arranged at right angles toeach other, such as, for example, units 32 and 33 of Figure 3. Since thewidth of each unit is identical, an adequate connection can only be hadby offsetting the longitudinal axis of the units whereby each set ofadjoining clamps will be laterally displaced. This can be seen in Figure3 wherein the ribs 34 and 35 of units are slightly out of alignment,Thus the clamps 30 and 31 of Figure 6 will adjoin each other withportions of the side bar ends transversely in overlapping relationship.If we consider clamp 31 as the exterior clamp and clamp 30 as theinterior clamp then on the other side of the adjoining ends of the units(not shown) the adjoining clamps will be in reverse relationship; thatis the clamp secured to the same unit as 31 will be the interior clamp,and the clamp secured to Q the same unit as clamp 30 will be theexterior clamp. Consequently for brevity only one set of adjoininginterconnected ends are shown in Figures 6 through 14; the relationshipbetween the other set being identically reversed.

Since the holes through the clamps 30 and 31 must be in alignment toreceive a securing screw therethrough only two opposing side bar endswill overlap each other. For example in Figure 6 only the lower sidebars 36 and 37 will overlap each other with the notches 38 and 39interlocking respectively.

Only one of the holes through the clamps of each latticed unit isthreaded since for any connection between two units one clamp becomesthe exterior side of the resulting joint and the other clamp becomes theinterior side of the opposite resulting joint. Consequently in joiningtwo units together the clamps with the threaded holes are located tocomprise the interior sides of the joints and the unthreaded holes arelocated on the exterior sides of the joints. For example in Figure 6 theinterior clamp 36 (far side) would have the threaded hole and theexterior clamp 31 (near side) would have the unthreaded hole. Thus withthe holes aligned the joint is secured with a screw having threadsfitting the threaded clamp hole. Due to the foregoing arrangement eachjoint can be easily serviced from the accessible exterior sides of theunits with an ordinary screwdriver. It should be understood however thatthe substitution of other securing means, such as bolts for example,would not be a departure from the inventive scope disclosed herein.

The joint shown in Figure 8 corresponds to the connection between theclamp end of unit 40 and an intermediate portion of the side bars ofunit 33, in Figure 3. This relationship occurs when the user wants toconstruct shelves half the height of the length of one unit. As is seenin Figure 8 the intermediate portions of side bars 41 extendtransversely across the fixed clamp 42 projecting from the side bars 43,The space between the bars 41 is bisected by the unthreaded hole 44 ofthe clamp 42 and a loose clamp 45 is adjusted along the bars 41 to aposition wherein a threaded hole 46 is in alignment with the hole 44.Thus clamp 42 becomes the exterior clamp and the loose clamp 45 becomesthe interior clamp. At the other side of the adjoining ends of the units(not shown) the relationship is reversed With the loose clamp comprisingthe exterior side and incorporating an unthreaded hole. Since the saidloose clamps form both exterior sides and interior sides, they areprovided With threaded and unthreaded holes.

As better seen in Figure 9, the interior side bar 41 fits snugly intothe notches 47 of side bars 43 providing a firm connection.

Figure 7 represents a joint similar to that shown in Figure 6, exceptingthat one pair of side bar ends 48 correspond to the ends which do nothave a clamp and which shall be referred to as the free ends. Thisparticular type of joint is the one generally used to connect theadjoinin" ends of any two transverse units. If we substitute the looseclamp 49 for the fixed clamp 3t of Figure 6, the description recited inconnection with the joint of Figure 6 is applicable to the joint shownin Figure 7. Consequently depending upon the intent of the user, theunit ends having fixed clamps can be intercom nected or one fixed endand one free end can be interconnected.

In the joints of Figures 6, 7 and 8, the opposing clamps whether free orfixed are in alignment as is indicated by the dotted guide lines.Consequently the rods 50 (Figures 8 and 6) will abut at the interiorclamp of the adjoining units. This relationship is made clearer inFigure 10, which is a front view of the joint of Figure 8, wherein thefixed clamp 4-2 abuts the rod 59 along an interior edge. Since theclamps are square and in alignment, the free clamp 45 (Figure 8) willalso abut the rod 50. The

abutting relationship between the clamps and the rods in combinationwith the interlocking coaction between the side bars and the notchescause a more sturdy coupling. As is seen in Figures 9 and 10, anordinary screw 51 is used to urge the clamps together locking the sidebars therebetween.

Figure 11 depicts a three way connection comprising free side bar ends52, clamped side bar ends 53 which form axial extensions of the ends 52,and transverse clamped side bar ends 54. The assembly of Figure 3 doesnot include a joint of this type. However if the user should want toextend the shelf unit 40 of Figure 3 axially beyond the vertical unit33, the necessity of such a joint would occur. Excepting for theinclusion of the free ends 52, the joint of Figure ll is similar to thejoint of Figure 6. The free ends 52 are inserted between the fixedclamps 55 and 56 with the ends of bars 52 abutting the ends of bars 53.When so positioned the notch 57 of the lower bar 52 interlocks With theleft hand bar 54. The joint is then secured with a screw insertedthrough the aligned holes.

The joint of Figure 12 is exactly similar to that of Figure 11 exceptthat the units are rotated in space to illustrate that the sameconnection can be used to extend the structure in any desired direction.For example the connection shown in Figure 12 could be used to extendthe vertical unit 58 vertically beyond the horizontal unit 59.

Figure 13 represents a four way joint connecting four intersectingunits. The free ends 60 form an axial extension of the clamped ends 61in one direction and the free ends 62 form an axial extension of theclamped ends 63 in a transverse direction. The intersecting side barends each form interlocking engagements with the notches of theadjoining bars.

Thus far the joints cited provide either longitudinal extensions or" theribs 143 or transverse projections therefrom. Consequently the width ofthe resulting furniture structure would be restricted to the Width ofone of the units, that is, substantially the length of the rods ofFigure 1. The assembly of Figure 3 represents a structure so restrictedin width. However the basic latticed unit disclosed herein can befurther used to erect furniture of greater widths comprising multiplesof the width of the latticed unit. In Figure 14, for example, a joint isshown for interconnecting two units to provide a lateral extensionhaving the width of two units. When so connected the rods it, 12 and 13of the connected units are substantially in axial alignment. As seen inFigure 14 the pairs of side bars 6 3 and 65 are disposed adjacentlyparallel with the side bar spacing in alignment. A set of loose clamps66 and 67 are placed along the outer faces of the bars with the flangesextending inwardly towards each other and the holes 68 and 69 inalignment. A screw 70 is then inserted through the holes with the innerend of the screw coacting with the threaded hole 69. As discussed inrelation to the other joints the hole in the exterior clamp (near side)is unthreaded and the hole in the interior clamp (far side) is threaded.By use of the foregoing coupling method, the horizontal units such as4t), or the vertical units such as 33 of Figure 3 can be extendedlaterally to provid structures of multiple widths.

The assembled structures, such as the assembly of Figure 3 are supportedat the base by the pads 71 which are provided with recesses to snuglyreceive the side bar ends of the vertically disposed units. Referring toFigure the ends 19 would be placed into the recesses of the pads '71until the rod 13 contacts the top surface of the pads. Consequently toconnect the lowermost unit 72 (Figure 3) to the vertical unit 33, theside bar clamps 0t '72 are placed upon the rod 13 and a loose clamp isproperly aligned on the side bars of the vertical unit. At the other endof the horizontal unit, the free ends of the horizontal side bars alsohear on the rod 113 and a loose clamp is used to make the connection toa fixed clamp of the vertical side bars. These connections adjacent thepads are not shown in Figures 6 through 14 which show in detail theother types of joints.

It should be particularly noted that although an extensive variety ofstructures are attainable from the basic unit, the said unit is ofsimple construction. To fabricate the unit only three diiferent barsizes are involved, namely the rods 11, 12 and 13, the ribs and the sidebars 14 and 15. Therefore mass-production techniques can be efficientlyapplied to reduce costs to a minimum.

Moreover the dismantling and erection operations can be executed by eventhe most unskilled operators. All that is required is a screwdriver andthe ability to use a screwdriver.

Since the basic units are identical flat rectangular objects, anassembly can be torn down and stacked into neat bundles of any desiredweight and size for transporting purposes. Furthermore geometricconfigurations can be attained which will blend pleasingly into thesurrounding environment according to the users taste.

Although preferably the units are fabricated from steel rods and barssecured by welding, it should 'be apparent that other conventionalmaterials such as, copper, brass, aluminum, plastic wood, etc. can besubstituted within the inventive scope.

The embodiment disclosed herein is a preferred form, however, manychanges, additions and modifications can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed hereinand defined in the appended claims.

Having disclosed the details of the invention, a grant of Letters Patentis desired for the following, which is claimed as new:

1. A structural unit adapted for connection to similar units to formcollapsible furniture assemblies, each unit comprising a planar thinbody including opposite end rods, both of said end rods being secured toparallel spaced side bars projecting equally outwardly from each end rodin axial alignment, the spaced side bars from one end rod having a platesecured tangentially thereto and including a hole whose axistransversely bisects the space between the bars, the ends of the spacedside bars being in alignment with a diameter of the holes,

whereby the unit side bars including the said plates can be securedremovably to the side bar ends of other similar units bothlongitudinally and transversely.

2. A structural unit as in claim 1 wherein the plate includes flangesprojecting at right angles towards the side bars, whereby the flangesengage and partially surround the side bars.

3. A structural unit adapted for connection to similar units to formcollapsible furniture assemblies, each unit comprising a latticed bodyformed of parallel spaced ribs and spaced transverse rods, said rods andribs being secured to each other at their junctures said rods includingend rods disposed along the ends of the body, each side of said bodybeing comprised of a pair of parallel spaced side bars, the end portionsof each pair of side bars being in axial alignment and extending beyondthe end rods, the ends of each pair of side bars adjacent one of the endrods having a plate secured tangentially thereto, said plate beingprovided with an aperture whose axis transverse y bisects the spacebetween the pair of side bars, said ends of said pairs of sides barsbeing in alignment with a diameter of the holes, whereby said side barends including said plates can be secured removably to the ends of theside bars of other similar units.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS325,696 Post Sept. 8, 1885 1,002,859 McFarlane Sept. 12, 1911 1,124,526Richter Jan. 12, 1915 1,309,240 Chappuis July 8, 1919 1,569,358 CrossJan. 12, 1926 1,587,090 Tweed June 1, 1926 1,661,687 Benjamin Mar. 6,1928 1,747,028 Phillips Feb. 11, 1930 1,968,273 Wegner July 31, 19342,316,560 Causey Apr. 13, 1943 2,397,241 Causey Mar. 26, 1946 2,639,817Ehret May 26, 1953 2,645,545 Rozafiy July 14, 1953 2,683,329 Kobler July13, 1954 2,738,883 Wineman March 20, 1956

